[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami Goodchilde came scampering into the Inn, running up to the bar where Piosenniel was doling out drinks. When the Elf saw the hobbit, she stared in amazement. "But I thought you'd retired to the early Third Age? Aren't you supposed to be with the hobbits on the Anduin? I was just talking about that with another hobbit friend."

Cami grinned and shook her head, "That's a long story!"

Somehow, that disclosure did not surprise Piosenniel. Most stories connected with Cami generally turned out to be long ones.

"I've cleaned up the situation in the Anduin, and left my son Gamba in charge."

At this, Pio struggled to keep a straight face. Gamba was known for his talent at getting into scrapes and scuffles. Putting Gamba in charge of anything would be risk indeed!

"I heard there's an opening here for an assistant Innkeeper. I'm not too good at serving drinks, but I'm a wicked cook and have been known to wash a dish or two in my day as well as tidying up the rooms where the guests stay overnight. Perhaps, I could give you a hand?"

At this point, before Pio could answer, Cami began striding around the main bar room, introducing herself to one and all, and promising to tell a story later on, once everyone had assembled for the evening."

Before the Elf could stop her, the hobbit had offered free drinks to many, and brought out several large platters of mushroom stew "compliments of the house."

As Cami dished up the stew, she added, "If any would like to tell me a tale about their ancestor or kin, there'll be a free steak and kidney pie in it for you. Who'll go first?"

In the meantime, the guests resumed their somber conversation on the wicked state of affairs in Middle-earth, and the Shadow that seemed to be creeping over everything in sight.

[ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]